Re: [gardeners] sand/cockle burs
Matt Trahan (gardeners@globalgarden.com)
Tue, 29 Sep 1998 00:59:15 -0400
>Date: Sun, 27 Sep 1998 22:30:07 +0000
>From: zacwinic@mail.netnitco.net
>Subject: [gardeners] sand/cockle burs
>
>I am looking for an effective way to get rid of sand burs or cockle
>burs. I do not want to use chemicals, there are too many to dig out,
>and we can't burn them out either. Is there anything that will choke
>them out? The area these weeds are growing on is sand and it gets
>real hot due to a lack of shade. Please give me any ideas or
>suggestions. My family can hardly stand going out to the garden this
>time of year do to the hazard.
>
>Thanks,
>
>
>holly zone 5
>zacwinic@mail.netnitco.net
>
>
As far as I know, they are a heavily reseeding annual. They are a big
problem on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Not everywhere, they pop up
just often enough so you keep forgetting and letting your guard down. ;-)
A common trick used is to take an old towel or heavy bedspread, anything
with a heavy knap, and drag it across the ground.
This will 'harvest' most of the seeds (assuming you waited till they are
hard and dried). Repeat as nessecary. Then just throw the blankets away.
Hope this helps.
Matt Trahan <matttrahan@ecsu.campus.mci.net> or <garden@juno.com>
USDA zone 8, AHS heat zone 7, Sunset zone 31, northeastern N.C.